Local 'Dreamers' face uncertain future

Sunday

Sep 10, 2017 at 3:01 AMSep 10, 2017 at 7:34 AM

By Judi Currie jcurrie@seacoastonline.com

SOMERSWORTH — The announcement Tuesday that the federal government plans to dismantle the program protecting undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children, has created additional uncertainty and fear in the local immigrant community.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced new applications will be halted for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which has provided nearly 800,000 young immigrants a reprieve from deportation and the ability to work legally in the U.S. Those covered under the DACA program are often called "Dreamers."

The House in 2010, under Democratic control, passed a Dream Act but was killed by a filibuster in the Senate. Republicans regained control of the House in late 2010 and President Barack Obama then instituted DACA by administrative action in 2012.

Sessions in announcing “an orderly and lawful wind-down" of the program called the Obama’s administrative action an "unconstitutional exercise of authority."

President Donald Trump this week said he loves the Dreamers but insists it is up to Congress to pass legislation to keep DACA in existence.

To be eligible under DACA, applicants had to have arrived in the United States before age 16, lived there since June 15, 2007, and could not have been older than 30 when the Department of Homeland Security formally enacted the policy in 2012. Among accepted applicants, Mexico is by far the biggest country of origin, followed by El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

According to Arnie Alpert, co-director of the American Friends Service Committee, 800,000 people nationwide and 400 in New Hampshire will be at risk of being deported.

Four friends impacted by the program shared their concerns with Seacoast Sunday, asking that only their first names be published.

Timothy came here in 2003 with his parents when he was 15.

“We came here with tourist visas," he said. "We had the chance to claim asylum but we had a change of attorneys, the paperwork was never filed and the appeals failed. So DACA saved my life and it helped me get an education.”

Timothy did not qualify for in-state tuition and under DACA rules he could not get any federal help with tuition.

“People need to know more about DACA," he said. "They think that we leech off the government, but we pay for everything, we pay a fee every two years, we go through extensive background checks. We pay taxes and Social Security, but have no benefits, no financial aid for school and must work full- and part-time to pay our way through college. So I just had to work and work, but DACA really changed my life because I was able to get a certificate in information systems technology and I have a decent job now."

Timothy is a worship leader and volunteer at a local church and wants to continue to give back to the community.

"If it is taken away all my hard work here will be left behind,” Timothy said. “I don't even know how to start a new life. My family and friends are all here. I'm really hoping Congress will come up with something."

Stephanie came here in 2004 when she was 12. She said it was hard and that her family came here to escape religious persecution.

“At 12 I didn't know what was going on; it was later that I found out we were undocumented,” Stephanie said. “It was scary and difficult. I was thrown into a different world, but DACA has given me opportunities to pursue education.”

Stephanie said she went to a community college and earned an associate's degree then transferred to a university for her bachelor's degree.

“Now I want to use the opportunities I've been given to serve the community,” she said. “If DACA goes away they take away our livelihood.”

Lisa came to the U.S. in 2000, she was 11 and her parents were already here. She said when DACA began she was able to get a job and go to school.

“I could drive and go to work,” she said. “I did a year of college. Now I'm working a full-time job and have a part-time job.”

She said it's hard to know what she will do if she cannot stay in the U.S. “It's going to be really hard. I basically grew up here."

She too said she wants people to know those in the DACA program work really hard for it.

Ezra is friends with the others but is not covered under the DACA program. He came here in 1999 when he was 7. He said he went through some of the same experiences but he and his family were able to become permanent residents.

“A lot depends on the judge and your attorneys,” Ezra said. “Not everyone had good legal representation and many were taken advantage of and it's never as simple as being a citizen or not being here legally — there are hundreds of levels.”

Ezra said the country has reaped the benefits of young people in DACA, some of them working here for a decade.

“They are working, paying taxes and they can't even get a speeding ticket without facing the possibility of being removed,” Ezra said. “It's tough to see people in this situation. Some of them are afraid to leave their homes. DACA was a Band-Aid and anytime we try to reform immigration it's hot one day then out of the news the next.”

Bob came here in 2005 when he was 7 and said DACA opened many doors and created multiple opportunities.

“Without the status I wouldn't be able to do many things,” Bob said. “Most important is the ability to work and go to school. Those go hand-in-hand because I have to pay out-of-pocket.

Bob attended a community college and then transferred to the University of New Hampshire where he was a commuter student, so being able to drive was really important.

“It essentially protected me from deportation," he said. "I didn't have that fear in the back of my mind and was really looking forward. The news that the program will be ending is very disappointing and now it's all up to Congress."

Like the others he finds it hard to think about returning to Indonesia.

“It's very hard to process. I know what life was like before," he said. "If Congress can't find a solution I'm back to square one but I have no plans right now.”

Bob said it's the right time to reform immigration. He said he and the 800,000 covered under DACA were too young to understand it. But every time Congress fails to pass reform it is not thinking about what the DACA people can provide.

“I don't remember Indonesia, I have no recollection of living there," he said. "I feel like an American, but people say I'm not. Since the announcement, deportation has been on my mind. An ICE officer could come knocking on the door and take me away.”

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